Midlands Diving Chamber - Dive Medical Advice - Central Nervous System http://www.midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk Dive Medicine - information for divers on different diving medicine subjects: marine animal hazards, the bends, Cardiovascular System and scuba diving, Central Nervous System and the scuba diver, Drugs and Diving, Easy Equalization for scuba divers, Eye Problems for scuba divers, women and scuba diving, Fitness and Diving, Gastrointestinal Problems and scuba diving, trauma and orthopaedic problems for scuba divers, Respiratory Problems and scuba diving. en-us webmaster@e-med.co.uk Midlands Diving Chamber - Dive Medical Advice http://www.midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/ldc_logo_new_small.jpg http://www.midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk 100 50 Central Nervous System - Migraines I am about to complete my Dive Master course and will need an HSE medical to enable me to assist in training and supervision. I would like to ask about PFO. My 2 year old second cousin has just had surgery to repair this condition and I am told that this ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=72 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:27:42 +0000 Central Nervous System - Migraines Whilst on a dive last week I experienced visual disturbances akin to those which precede a migraine, ie. flashing lights and shimmering areas of vision. I used to suffer from migraines but haven't done so for many years. The visual symptoms went shortly a... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=72 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:22:40 +0000 Central Nervous System - Oxygen Toxicity I've just done my Nitrox course and learned lots about gases and partial pressures, but would like to know how they worked out what is a safe partial pressure of oxygen to dive with? https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=169 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:00:40 +0000 Central Nervous System - Oxygen Toxicity This is not a diving-related question, but I am a diver, so forgive me for picking your brains but I hope you can help. I'm diabetic and due to start treatment in a hyperbaric chamber for an ulcer on my heel that just won't heal. The doctors treating me h... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=169 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:57:46 +0000 Central Nervous System - Migraines I've had a few episodes of odd visual disturbances after diving that I'd like to discuss with you. They are very intermittent, occurring only once or twice a year (and I'm diving most weekends), but usually involve my vision getting darker, almost like th... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=72 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:51:51 +0000 Central Nervous System - Oxygen Toxicity What are the effects of oxygen on the eye? I am asking because my boyfriend is diving on high partial pressures of oxygen (1.4 - 1.6 ATA) on a regular basis and he is complaining of some difficulties with focussing. He says his vision blurs for a few hour... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=169 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:47:47 +0000 Central Nervous System - Brain I am 69 years old and have been diving for about 25 years. Two years ago I was discovered to have an aneurysm in my head. I was having very serious headaches. The investigations done by a neurosurgeon involved angiography to find the aneurysm and then it ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=131 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:20:41 +0000 Central Nervous System - Brain I am a PADI Advanced diver and about 4 years ago had a brain scan after my ophthalmologist noticed I had nystagmus on a routine eye test. (Nystagmus is a repetitive involuntary oscillation of the eyes, like watching a lengthy Federer-Nadal tennis rally wi... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=131 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:51:03 +0000 Central Nervous System - Nerves Hi... I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2000 and whilst I have the odd niggle, relapses are happening at about 3 - 4 year intervals. These are not major as such and thus far I have always recovered pretty much 100% with rest. So far, I know ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=71 Mon, 19 May 2008 12:53:37 +0100 Central Nervous System - Migraines About four years ago I completed a normal profile dive and within an hour I experienced visual disturbances, with flashing lights and opaque sections of vision. At the time I was put on oxygen and after about 30 minutes my sight was fine. I suffered no ot... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=72 Mon, 19 May 2008 12:14:20 +0100 Central Nervous System - Spinal I am planning on doing my Padi this year, having done a couple of dives last year in Honduras without any troubles. I am however a little concerned about going down this path as from a birth I have suffered from Hydrocephalus and was 10 weeks premature... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=106 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:11:10 +0100 Central Nervous System - Fits I have read about the epilepsy rules, I am not sure mine was epilepsy but assume so as my sister had it. I had a couple of attacks over twenty five years ago but still take very very low dosage meds, am I still unable to dive as I still take a low form... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=70 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:50:35 +0100 Central Nervous System - Fits I took up diving in the late 1970's and between then and 1988 I clocked up over 500 dives to depths down to 50m, both as part of a research project and eventually as an instructor and founder member of a club. In February 1989 (I had not dived for a... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=70 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:31:31 +0100 Central Nervous System - Fits I am hoping that you can help me. I am epileptic. I was diagnosed when I was 15yrs old. I am now 29. I have been fit free for 5 years although I continue to take anti-convulsants. (Epilim chrono). I have been scuba diving for the past 4 years.... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=70 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:55:49 +0100 Central Nervous System - Balance I have never dived before, but I would very much like to during my stay in the Maldives this April. My issue is with vertigo, I developed this back in 2003 after being on a small boat in Barbados. I was never sick only slightly nauseous. However the feel... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=73 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:41:26 +0100 Central Nervous System - Nerves I am writing to you following a referral from Phil Howard from London/Surrey Scuba. I spent the weekend attending the PADI Open Water Referral Course, but unfortunately did not complete the full set of confined dives. While underwater, I ex... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=71 Mon, 06 Nov 2006 01:00:47 +0000 Central Nervous System - Fits In your opinion would a single seizure 2 years ago preclude, in itself, an HSE medical for scuba diving? It was a one off seizure. MRI scan showed nothing unusual, no medication was prescribed & was told by the neurologist that it was not epilepsy and has... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=70 Wed, 01 Nov 2006 11:21:13 +0000 Central Nervous System - Nerves I hope you will be able to give me some information about my current situation regarding diving. At the beginning of December last year I fell through a glass window. I severed the main artery and median nerve in my left upper arm. The scars have now heal... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=71 Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:25:39 +0100 Central Nervous System - Fits I read your Medical Solutions pages in Sport Diver and hope you can help me. At the ripe age of 50, in 2002 whilst living in the USA, I took up diving and in 2 years racked up 88 dives and am now a PADI rescue diver. In February 2004 I went to work in Bag... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=70 Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:19:30 +0100 Central Nervous System - Migraines My question relates to migraine. I have had 5 episodes of migraine with visual aura +/- transient sensory loss in hand, two as a teenager, one pregnant, two when sudden drop in oestrogen from missing hrt, i.e. probably oestrogen related. No focal migraine... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=72 Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:17:14 +0100 Central Nervous System - Nerves I am 63 years of age, have been diving since 1994, am qualified to Advanced Open Water with PADI and have completed about 80 recreational dives always in warm climates, e.g. Red Sea, Great Barrier Reef, British Virgin Islands, etc. I was diagnosed some ti... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=71 Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:14:48 +0100 Central Nervous System - Fits I am currently a PADI Open Water Diver, and have had no medical problemswhile diving.However, on a recent diving holiday I fainted one evening, and had what looked like convulsions. As I had not been in the water for two days, I don't think it was c... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=70 Thu, 29 Sep 2005 03:56:17 +0100 Central Nervous System - Nerves Recently while diving, I received a blow to the head during a backward roll entry (buddies 15ltr steel tank), after the dive I started to suffer headaches and trouble focusing while reading. The local A&E department checked me over and said it... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=71 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 Central Nervous System - Migraines I would like your advice on the issue of migraine. I am 49 years of age; male, non-smoker, non drinker. I have had a recent diving medical exam and was passed fit to dive. I swim train 4 times a week and gym 3 times a week. My BP (at the last ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=72 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 Central Nervous System - Fits I am a student just starting my 2nd year in a Marine Biology/Zoology course in North Wales. Although diving is not an essential part of my course it would be very helpful to learn, and I could then join in various excursions and activities with the sub-aq... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=70 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 Central Nervous System - Nerves I'd like to ask your advice, as an volunteer instructor for Scubatrust (who teach those with disabilities to dive). My 'day job' is being a final yr med student, but I am a long way from having the necessary experience to assess a man I have been asked to... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=71 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 Central Nervous System - Fits I would Like to take up scuba-diving but I suffer from epilepsy, my last attack was 8 years ago. I am on medication to prevent these attacks, Epilim and Lamotrigine. So am I permitted to dive? I did a 4m intro dive in Lanzarote with no problems. https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=70 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 Central Nervous System - Nerves I have been on long sick leave since the beginning of July 1999, with Post Viral Fatigue and trigeminal neuralgia. With the Fatigue Syndrome I sometimes feel perfectly OK, but some days I feel totally drained sleeping for periods varying between four and ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=71 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 Central Nervous System - Injury I am proposing to go on a diving holiday, but wanted to ensure that I am medically fit enough to go, and wondered if you can help? I had a pneumothorax as the result of a fractured rib, two years ago. I am fully recovered now. Do you foresee a... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=74 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 Central Nervous System - Injury I am a PADI Open Water diver I qualified three years ago. I 'm 44 years old and I am thinking of going for the Advance Certificate now that I've been diving a while and have a little more experience (30 Dives). I had a central herniated disc S... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=74 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 Central Nervous System - Fits My son suffers from petit mal epilepsy. He does not suffer from fits, though. He is 12 years old and wants to do his open water course. He is taking 450mg lamotrigine & 800mg tegretol retard. I read in your column that this may cause nitrogen narcosis at ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=70 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 Central Nervous System - Nerves My girlfriend has passed her PADI Open water diver, she now discovers she has Multiple Sclerosis (relapse and remitting) she has no symptoms and has had a diving medical. Should she go on to do her advanced open water diver. Also can you dive ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=71 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 Central Nervous System - Balance Hi, hope you may give me some advice.I am a BSAC sports diver, and have a problem with feeling somewhat disorientated and dizzy (as though the boat is still moving!!) after spending 3-4 days on a dive boat.The first time this occur... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=73 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 Central Nervous System - Nerves Sorry to trouble you but I have a friend due to travel to Cyprus soon and she had every intention of learning to dive whilst there. About 6 weeks ago she contracted Bell's Palsy. There has to date been no real improvement although she is fine in herself. ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=71 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100